Cylinders, Tablets and Kings

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I’ve been slowly working my way through the Bible chronologically.  I’m allowing myself time to take the side roads, occasionally stopping to investigate a detail. A few weeks ago, when reading the book of Daniel, I came across something that prompted my curiosity.  The section about King Belshazzar reminded me of something I saw in the British Museum during my trip to England in 2016.   I love digging in to historical details, so it fascinated me, so I’m sharing here for those who are interested in such things.

Daniel

Daniel was a devout young Hebrew who was deported to Babylon during the “70 year captivity” period of Israel (605-536 BC).  He was a specially chosen young man, for the purpose of training/brainwashing in Babylonian ways in order to help assimilate the Jews into the culture.  He rose to the level of a statesman, but never denied his Hebrew God, who gifted him with the ability to interpret dreams and make prophesies.   

The book of Daniel, a largely a prophetic book, was written in the 6th century BC, and contains details about current and future world kingdoms.  (kingdoms of Babylon and Persia during Daniel’s lifetime, and kingdoms of Greece in the 3rd century BC, and Rome in the 2nd century BC).  Some have discounted prophesies in Daniel claiming the book was written centuries later with the content changed to match the actual history.   The story of King Belshazzer in Chapter 5 has been used to support this erroneous view.     

King Belshazzer

Remember the “Writing on the Wall” king?  In 539 BC, King Nebuchadnezzer, had died, and his heir Belshazzar had become king.  Belshazzar threw a great feast and during the party, a mysterious hand wrote three words on the wall.  “Mene, Tekel and Peres” No one could figure out their significance.  Belshazzar turned to the prophet Daniel, now an old man, and promised the royal treatment including elevation to a position of “3rd in the kingdom” if he could explain the meaning.  Daniel gave the interpretation, paraphrased, “Your kingdom has been numbered and weighed and found wanting.  It is ending, and will be given to the Medes and the Persians.” That night Belshazzar was killed and the Medes took over Babylon. 

So what’s the problem?

Why did Belshazzar offer Daniel 3rd position in the kingdom?  Why not 2nd?   Why does this even matter?  Because some critics of the Bible had pointed to “Belshazzar” a name unknown to historians as a reason to doubt the authenticity of the book of Daniel, claiming the facts were wrong.  In fact, all artifacts and records, including Heroditus’ writing 100 years later, had pointed to Nabonidus as the last king of Babylon.  “…historians believed that the book of Daniel was written in the 2nd century BC and redacted back to the 6th century BC and included a “legendary” king, Belshazzar.   But the Bible says “That same night Belshazzar was slain. So Darius the Mede received the kingdom, making Belshazzar the last king of Babylon. (The Bible in the British Museum 18)

A Discovery

In 1854 archeologist, J.G.Taylor, discovered the Nabonidus cylinders/barrels at the Ziggurat at Ur (modern day Iraq).  In cuneiform writing, King Nabonidus mentions his son, Belshazzar.  This is one of the artifacts we saw at the British Museum a few years ago.  (See my photo.)

"As for me, Nabonidus, king of Babylon, save me from sinning against your great godhead and grant me as a present a life-long of days, and as for Belshazzar, the eldest son -my offspring- instill reverence for your great godhead in his heart and may he not commit any cultic mistake.” 

So Belshazzar, existed historically, and was not a legend.  In fact he was in the royal line as grandson of King Nebuchadnezzer. 

Another Artifact

Sometime prior to 1879, the Nabonidus Chronicle tablet was discovered.  It records the activities of King Nabonidus.  Notably, he went to Arabia for the last 10 years of his life, leaving his son, to rule Babylon in his place.  Combining the cylinder with this tablet, we can conclude that Nabonidus (1st) and Belshazzar (2nd) were co-regents. Therefore Daniel was made 3rd.  Daniel’s prophesies were not written after the fact, but indeed back in the 6th century BC.   

Ripple Effect 

If Daniel’s prophesies of Greece and Rome were fulfilled after the book was written, that verifies its other prophesies that have not yet been fulfilled but will be, just as sure as the Greeks followed the Romans centuries later than Daniel’s prophesy predicted.

I never doubted the book of Daniel being accurate, and prophetic, but isn’t this info cool?   I love the details of Scripture and how relatively new archeological discoveries confirm the accuracy of the Word of the Living God.  A personal note:  the main thing that drew my husband Gary into saving faith, was the fulfilled prophesies in the Bible.  They helped him see that if God’s Word could predict future events, hundreds of centuries away, that turned out to be historically accurate, it must be taken as true from cover to cover, including its condemnation of sin, and offer of forgiveness through faith in Christ.   

Daniel said,

“Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,

For wisdom and power belong to Him.

It is He who changes the times and the epochs;

He removes kings and establishes kings;

He gives wisdom to wise men

And knowledge to men of understanding.

It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;

He knows what is in the darkness,

And the light dwells with Him.

To You, O God of my fathers,

I give thanks and praise,

For You have given me wisdom and power’

Even now You have made known to me what we have requested of You,

For You have made known to us the king’s matter.” Daniel 2:20-23

Reformation Day Reflections

Halloween is such a big deal now, and it’s going to be here in a few days.  But a bigger deal to me, on October 31, is “Reformation Day.” It celebrates the day, in 1517, that the priest, Martin Luther nailed his Ninety Five Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral, kicking off a big debate about the infallible authority of Scripture and how someone can be justified in God’s sight. The result was the Protestant Reformation.

Three years ago, I enjoyed a tour in Europe to learn more about a few of the people and events of those years.  A couple years later, I finished condensing my trip into this 90-minute video. I tried to choose music that was somewhat similar to the various eras, and I relied on my travel journal where I had jotted details. Some of the video is narrated by Yours Truly. Listening to a recording of my voice always sounds funny to me but I did it anyway.

Right now, I’m tempted to go ahead and share the tremendous impact this trip had on my life, but I have made my comments in my video. Briefly, being in the places, and reviewing the history of the church was challenging, and inspiring for my own faith. My prayer is that I would have the courage to stand for the truth, and live for Christ, following the example of so many who have gone before me.

Just to give an idea of what’s in my video…

We focused on Martin Luther in Wittenberg and Worms, Germany, John Calvin in Geneva, Switzerland, multiple martyrs in London, England, John Knox in Edinburgh and St. Andrews, Scotland, John Newton in Olney, England, William Tyndale in Lutterworth, England, John Bunyan in Bedford, the Marian Martyrs in Oxford, England, Hugh Latimer, and others in Cambridge, England and Jeremiah Burroughs in London, England.

PLUS there were a few other fun people and places not related to church history mixed in.

I love to share, so here goes…

(Click arrow to play)

The Secret Place

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty

Pardon all the Old English, but this song, written by James MacDermid in 1908 is locked in my musical memory, and rises to my lips from time to time.  It’s taken from David’s 91st Psalm. 

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night
Nor the arrow that flieth by day
Nor the pestilence that walketh in darkness
Nor the destruction that wasteth at noonday

Click HERE to listen to The Ninety First Psalm sung by Edward Palmer

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge,
Even the most High, thy habitation,
There shall no evil befall thee
Neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling

I couldn’t find a recent or updated recording but I love the words and the music.  Over the last month I’ve made it into a prayer.  Not just recited words, but words that have been hidden in my heart since voice lessons during college.  When tempted to be fearful about my cancer diagnosis, and upcoming cancer surgery, and the possibility of treatments after that, I’ve asked God to keep me dwelling in His secret, protected, shadow, where He shields from danger.  I’ve asked Him to be my refuge, my dwelling place, because close to Him, evil can’t touch me.  His angels are all around me, guarding me from stumbling and tripping up in my fears.  Many a night over the last month, with the constant knowledge that there is cancer in my body, and not knowing how much, I’ve whispered these prayers to the Lord as I drift off to sleep.  Oh what comfort.

For He shall give His angels charge over thee
To keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands
Lest thou dash thy foot against a stone,
Against a stone

All of this reassurance, and promise of protection, had more to do with my fears, than the cancer.  More to keep me from evil temptations to doubt God’s goodness, or fall apart with anxiety, than the number of cancer cells, or the type.  After all, I was trusting my Lord back in 2002 when He allowed me to have stage 3 cancer, (with a 50% chance of a 5 year survival) and the ensuing year of treatments.  During that season He kept me close and gave me courage, and walked through the trial with me.  Then with Gary's 9 year illness, we both knew the closeness of our Lord and were continually en-couraged by Him.  Then for the last 60 days, He kept me close again and gave me courage, and eliminated the cancer with no further treatment needed. 

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty
He shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty

Someday I will likely get sick again, probably more than once, and He will comfort and strengthen me then too, until I finally enter His presence and see my savior face-to-face.   We live in a fallen world, so there are repercussions, illness being just one of them.  No one is exempt.  I am grateful to God that we have incredible medical advancements, and I received GREAT care by my health care team, but as a Christian, I know everything is an opportunity to glorify God, so let me say PRAISE GOD today.  Yes, for healing me quickly this time, but mostly for walking along with me, giving me comfort, and strength. 

The Lord said...“Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him.  I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.  He will call on me and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.  With a long life I will satisfy him and let him see My salvation.” Psalm 91:14-16

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Wait a Minute

Like many of my fellow Americans, I don’t like to wait.  I don’t like to generalize, but I’ve noticed that other cultures seem to be better at it than we are.  If you’ve ever been in Hawaii, you know the "Aloha Spirit” which to the best of my understanding means there is more emphasis on relaxation and enjoying the moment, than getting somewhere “on time.”   I think there’s a generational aspect to waiting with patience too.  Best examples were my my mom and dad.  Maybe it was my parents’ personalities, but when they were waiting for a ride, or a phone call, or a package to arrive, they were able to enjoy chatting with others, or the activities going on around them.   They made friends while waiting.  It could be a fellow tourist waiting for Old Faithful to erupt, a fellow skier in the lift line, or someone waiting their turn at the barbershop. 

Technology is great and it allows me to text, call, leave a message, or go online and check anything I want, without waiting for someone to return the library book I was waiting for.   I have communication (sort of), and information (sort of) at my fingertips.  No wonder I try to find the shortest line, and try to get the earliest appointment at the Dr.  I have the urge to “save time” not waste it, and have more “free time” to do what I want.  But let me tell you, one of the hardest things to wait for is surgery when you know you have cancer in you and you want it OUT!

It’s been several weeks since getting the news that I have a malignancy, and this is the week for the surgery to remove it and check the lymph nodes to see if it spread.  I’ve been trying to make good use of the days, doing things that I won’t be able to do for a while and stocking up on comfort foods.  There’s been a bunch of medical tests, and waiting rooms mixed into the last few weeks too…many hours spent driving to appointments and medical tests, and waiting to hear, “The Dr. will see you now.”  I confess, it’s easy for my mind to slip into the frustrated wonder of “Why is it taking so long?”  There’s the earthly plane, where crowded schedules get interrupted, emergencies happen, freeway exits are missed, computers are down, and people are forced to wait.  But oh how thankful I am that even though I forget it sometimes, I am not “of this world.”  Because Jesus Christ is my savior He has a very special, specific timetable for me because He has my ultimate good and joy in mind.  He is in charge, (REALLY in charge) so I’m not ultimately waiting for someone to “call me back” or for someone to fax the right thing to the right place.  God is the One I’m waiting for.  That makes all the difference.  Just remembering that God loves me, wastes nothing, and is committed to conforming me to the image of His son, takes off the pressure.  During these “cancer’s-in-me” days, I’ve been enjoying His great comfort, and when tempted to impatience, I’ve been bolstered and loved.    

“Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.”  Isaiah 40:31

I won't know the outcome until my amazing medical team is done with me, but I'm really grateful for them, and no matter what, I hope to glorify with every day of my life.  I'm sure I'll be in "God's waiting room" again at some point, and I'll look forward to what He has in store for me there.

A helpful book: "Wait" by Smedley Yates

Resting in God's Promises

We all know what happens next.  Charlie Brown runs to kick the football, and Lucy yanks it away at the last second.  Charlie lands flat on his back after kicking the air with all his might, and is disappointed once more, after another one of Lucy’s broken promises.

From a young age, we learn to make promises:   “Honest Promise” - “Pinky-Promise” - “I swear!” Anybody remember in Anne of Green Gables, when Anne Shirley and Diana Barry make their “Solemn Vow”?

We all know what a promise IS…It can be written or verbal.  The one who makes it is bound by honor, conscience or law to do it, and the recipient has the right to expect it to be done.  You might tell your kids, “I promise to get you an ice cream after school.”  You might have a written agreement with a landlord or bank where you, “promise to pay the rent on time in exchange for a place to live.” 

The trouble is, you and I are like Lucy, in that we don’t always keep the promises we make.   Sometimes circumstances don’t allow, or we forget, or we are just plain selfish, or something else.   Napoleon Bonaparte wisely said, “The best way to keep one’s word is not to give it.”

BUT! God is not like us!

He is bound by Himself to keep His promises.  That’s why we can REST and not worry He’d ever forget or break a promise.  The Bible says that God has given His children “precious and magnificent promises” (2 Peter 1:4)

HERE'S A FEW THAT CAME TO MIND...

Jesus said He’d never leave you nor forsake you.

God will be a father to the fatherless.

God will bring us to heaven.

All the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places are ours in Christ.

If we need wisdom, and ask for it, He’ll give it.

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Last week I found out I need to have a medical procedure done.  A biopsy will be needed.  I'm not unique.  Everyone has these little, or bigger, scary, worrisome, troubling things of all sorts come alone.  I say (we say) I believe God, when He makes a promise.  I say I believe Him because He is faithful.  He does not change.   “every word of God is true” (Prov 30:5).   After all, many years ago, I had put my entire life into His hands based on his promise to save anyone who would call on the name of Christ.  

So why is it so hard to “rest” in His promises when life gets hard?  Rest that is truly peaceful, like being able to lean on something, rely on something.  Quiet, tranquil peace. 

• Why do we panic in our heart/emotions?
• Why do we jump to the worst possible outcome, the thing we fear most? 
• Why do we want to run away from the difficulty? 
• Why do we try to control the situation, frantically taking things in our own hands?

I confess I have done all of these things, and more, over the years.  But panic, fear, running away, controlling…none of these things are restful.

Why is it so hard to REST?

There are lots of reasons, but I’m convinced that the enemy of our souls, Satan, is prowling around like a roaring lion, trying to attack us, at our weakest moments.  (1 Peter 5:8)  He’s looking for the chinks in our spiritual armor, and trying to tempt us to doubt God’s promises, just like he did with Adam and Eve, raising thoughts like "Is God really good?"  Or this one...maybe our faith in God is weak.   Maybe we’ve been leaving thoughts of God to Sundays only, and haven’t been cultivating our relationship with Him every day.

I want to REST in God's PROMISES.  But how?

DAVID KNEW HOW:

"Return to your rest, O my soul, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you." (Psalm 116:7)

"Surely I have composed and quieted my soul."  (Psalm 131:2)

Recently I was blessed, truly, to be able to share these very encouraging thoughts with some ladies at our church.  They were SO VERY HELPFUL for me as I sat in the doctor’s office last week.  I hope they will help you too.

In Psalm 63, David gave me four ways to rest in God’s promises in difficult times. 

O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 Thus I have seen You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.
3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
4 So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
5 My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips

6 When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches,
7 For You have been my help,
And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to You;
Your right hand upholds me.

9 But those who seek my life to destroy it,
Will go into the depths of the earth.
10 They will be delivered over to the power of the sword;
They will be a prey for foxes.
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
Everyone who swears by Him will glory,
For the mouths of those who speak lies will be stopped.

#1  think about Who God is, and what He is like?

David thought about who God is and what He is like.  "I shall seek you earnestly (v1)...I have seen you in the sanctuary...to see your power and glory (v2)...your lovingkindness" (v3) 

I'm making myself do the same thing.  I thought of just a few.

• GOD WON'T LIE.  “Every word of God proves true.” (Proverbs 30:5)  He is absolutely trustworthy and has proven so in the past. He said in scripture that He would create a great nation from Abraham, and He did it.  He promised a Messiah, and Jesus Christ was the fulfillment.  He promised take care of me, and when I had cancer in 2002 He did, in every imaginable way.
• GOD WON'T CHANGE.  He is faithful to His word.  If He says it, He will do it.  He has kept my mind peaceful when I have focused on Him.  “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is fixed on You.” (Isaiah 26:3)
• GOD IS PERFECTLY HOLY.  He doesn’t make mistakes.
• GOD IS LORD OF LORDS.  He is sovereign over the universe.  Both the seen and unseen things. 

Health/disease, wealth/poverty, rulers/slaves, believers/unbelievers.  All people, nature, planets/stars, micro-organisms and atomic particles.  And by the way,  that includes things that need biopsies.

• GOD WILL NOT DEVIATE FROM HIS PURPOSES.  “Whatever the LORD pleases, He does…” (Ps.135:6)
• GOD LOVES ME.  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only born son, that whoever would believe in Him would be saved.”  (John 3:16)
• GOD HAS A PLAN FOR ME AND HAS THE POWER TO ACCOMPLISH IT.  It’s a good plan and brings Him glory. 

“What comes in your mind when you think about God

is the most important thing about us.” A.W.Tozer

#2  Remember Fulfilled promises

David remembered the many times God had kept His word.  "I remember you...I meditate on You" (v6) ..."You have been my help" (v7)

I love remembering that the righteous have been cared for.  When I had cancer in 2002 I had my share of anxious thoughts, but there were so many blessings during that year, as I saw how God was working in and through me.  One of my favorite verses is Psalm 37:25

 “I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Or his descendants begging bread.”

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you."  (Deuteronomy 31:6)

#3  Cling Tightly to God

David knew he had to hold on tight.  "My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me." (v8)  The Hebrew word “cling” means to stick to, cling to, hold on to” “a permanent, dissoluble union, as a husband is to be united to his wife Gen 2:24” according to John Mac Arthur.  It’s actually a command. “You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name.” (Deuteronomy 10:20)

“Whom have I in heaven but You, and besides You, I desire nothing on earth.” Psalm 73:25

“I stretch out my hands for You; my soul longs for You, as a parched land.”  Psalm 143:6

 “At night, my soul longs for You, indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently…” Isaiah 26:9

#4  Rest & Rejoice

David rested.  Because he had confidence in God's character, and history, David fully expected that God would destroy or stop his enemies. (v.9-10)  Clinging tightly to God, filled his heart with joy and praise. (v.11) "the king will rejoice in God"

Rest is not simply kicking back in a hammock.  I’m sure there are plenty of people laying in hammocks in the Caribbean, who are not really “at rest.”  The kind of rest I’m seeking and God is offering, is peace of soul.

TO MAKE THIS REALLY PRACTICAL, HERE'S HOW I'M CHOOSING TO REST AS I WAIT FOR MEDICAL ANSWERS IN "GOD'S WAITING ROOM."

1. Ask: What is bringing "unrest" to my soul?  Currently it is: "Medical testing that has a possibly unwanted outcome" (or fill in the blank) causes anxiety, or fear, or doubt, etc.
2. I ask myself: "What is a promise of God that would answer those anxieties?  I love this one..."You (God) will keep him (me) in perfect peace, whose mind is fixed on You. (God)"  Isaiah 26:3            
3. What character qualities of God assure me that He will keep His promise?  He is faithful.  He is powerful.
4. What has He done in the past that assure you He will do so again?  In 2002 God comforted and strengthened me during cancer tests & treatment.  I grew so much closer to Him during that year.
5. How will I “cling to Him” more tightly when troubled in spirit about this?  I'm asking God to help me, and thanking Him for saving me and loving me so much.
6. What praises come to mind as you think about Resting in God’s Promise? I'm praising Him for his kindness,  comfort,  and glory He's displaying to me and through me.

It's not a once-and-done thing either.  More times than not, I have to do battle with my thoughts, repeatedly corralling them to the glory of God.  I'm sure we can all relate!

I sincerely hope these principles help you as much as they are helping me every day.  Please comment and share some of your favorite promises from God that give you peace and rest. 

By the way, I made these little scripture cards for the ladies at the study.  If you would like to get a set of 6 different verse cards about Resting in God's Promises, Click HERE.